NewJeans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
NewJeans
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![]() NewJeans at the 2023 Melon Music Awards
L–R: Hyein, Hanni, Haerin, Danielle, and Minji |
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Background information | |
Also known as | NJZ |
Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
Genres | |
Years active | 2022–2025 |
Labels |
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Members |
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Korean name | |
Hangul |
뉴진스
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RR | Nyujinseu |
MR | Nyujinsŭ |
NJZ | |
Hangul |
엔제이지
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RR | Enjeiji |
MR | Enjeiji |
NewJeans (Hangul: 뉴진스) is a popular South Korean girl group formed by the music label ADOR, which is part of the bigger company Hybe. The group has five members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. They are known for their friendly, "girl next door" image and music that sounds like pop songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
NewJeans debuted on July 22, 2022, with their song "Attention". It quickly became the number-one song in South Korea. Soon after, they released more hit songs like "Hype Boy" and "Cookie". "Hype Boy" was so popular that it stayed on the Billboard Global 200 chart longer than any other song by a K-pop girl group.
In January 2023, their single album OMG was a huge success. The song "Ditto" became the longest-running number-one song on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. It was also their first song to appear on the famous Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and the UK Singles Chart.
Their second mini-album, Get Up, reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Its main song, "Super Shy", became their highest-charting single in the US and the UK. NewJeans has won many awards for new artists and has been recognized by famous magazines like Time and Forbes.
In 2024, a disagreement began between the members and their company, Hybe. The members tried to end their contract, but a court order stopped them from working independently. In March 2025, the group announced they would be taking a break.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "NewJeans" has a cool double meaning. First, it's like a pair of jeans, which are a classic fashion item that never goes out of style. The group wants their music and image to be timeless, just like jeans.
The name is also a play on the words "new genes." This suggests that the group is bringing a fresh, new style to pop music for a new generation of fans.
In 2025, during their disagreement with their company, the members briefly changed their name to "NJZ." They stopped using this name after a court decision in April.
The Story of NewJeans
Before Their Debut
Before they became NewJeans, some of the members were already on TV or performing. Danielle was a child star on TV shows in South Korea. Hyein was part of a kids' music group called U.SSO Girl. Hanni was a member of a dance crew in Melbourne, Australia, that performed K-pop dance covers.
The idea for a new girl group started in 2019. The group was put together by a famous creative director named Min Hee-jin under Hybe's new label, ADOR. After auditions, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein were chosen as the final members in early 2022.
A Big Debut in 2022
On July 22, 2022, NewJeans made a surprise debut. They released the music video for their first single, "Attention", without any warning. This was unusual, but fans loved it because it focused on the music first.
A day later, they released "Hype Boy" with special music videos for each member. Their first mini-album, or EP, sold over a million copies, which was a record for a K-pop girl group's debut album.
The group's third single, "Cookie", caused some discussion. Some people thought the lyrics had a hidden meaning. The group's company, ADOR, explained that the song was about baking cookies and making CDs, which use a similar verb in Korean.
Growing Fame with OMG
In December 2022, NewJeans released "Ditto". The song was a massive hit. It stayed at number one in South Korea for 13 weeks. It was also the group's first song to enter the American Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
Their single album OMG came out in January 2023. It also sold over a million copies. The title track, "OMG", became very popular on TikTok. For their amazing work, NewJeans won major "Song of the Year" awards for "Ditto."
Global Success with Get Up
In July 2023, NewJeans released their second EP, Get Up. It went straight to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. This made NewJeans only the second K-pop girl group ever to achieve this.
The EP had three hit singles: "Super Shy", "ETA", and "Cool with You". All three songs made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. This was a first for any female K-pop artist.
To promote the album, NewJeans performed at huge music festivals. They were the first K-pop girl group to perform at Lollapalooza in the United States. They also performed at the Summer Sonic Festival in Japan.
Disagreements and a Break
In April 2024, a serious disagreement started between Hybe and ADOR's CEO, Min Hee-jin. The members of NewJeans supported Min Hee-jin. They said they had issues with Hybe's management.
On November 28, 2024, the members announced they were ending their contract with ADOR. However, the company said the contract was still valid. The situation went to court.
In early 2025, a court ordered the group to stop any independent activities. The members performed one last time at a music festival in March 2025, where they announced they would be taking a break from all activities. The court's decision was finalized in June 2025, and the group's main lawsuit is still ongoing.
Music and Style
What Does Their Music Sound Like?
NewJeans is known for its "easy-listening" pop and R&B music. Their songs often have a relaxed, retro feel, like music from the 1990s and 2000s. They use styles like UK garage and drum and bass, which are types of electronic dance music.
Their sound is often described as soft and gentle. This is different from the loud, high-energy music of many other K-pop groups. The members often help write the lyrics for their songs.
Fashion and Image
NewJeans is famous for its "girl-next-door" image. They often wear natural-looking makeup and simple, straight hair. This look is different from the more glamorous styles often seen in K-pop.
When they debuted, they helped make Y2K fashion (styles from the early 2000s) popular again. Their style is seen as cool and confident. Because of their influence, all five members have become ambassadors for major fashion brands like Gucci, Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
Other Work
Working with Brands
NewJeans is very popular in the advertising world. They have worked with many famous brands, including:
- Coca-Cola
- Levi's jeans
- Apple
- McDonald's
- LG Electronics
They have also worked with the city of Seoul to promote tourism and Korean culture. In 2024, they even recorded an audio guide for the Korean exhibit at the British Museum.
Helping Others
NewJeans and their company, ADOR, regularly donate money to charity. They give part of their album sales to a charity called Snail of Love. This money helps pay for surgery for people who have trouble hearing.
They also donated money to help victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. In 2024, they donated the money they earned from performing at university festivals to a scholarship foundation.
Members
Discography
Extended plays
- New Jeans (2022)
- Get Up (2023)
Filmography
Television shows
- NewJeans Code in Busan (2022)
Live performances
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: NewJeans para niños
- List of best-selling girl group albums